Sleep

Trouble with sleeping is something most of us have experienced at some point in our lives. Inadequate sleep can interfere with our physical, social, mental and emotional functioning, which is why it’s so critical to have healthy sleep hygiene.
As is becoming our standard operating procedure, Hartstein Psychological Services will be closed for the week between Christmas and the New Year. We recognize the need to practice what we preach and know that self-care is one of the important things on which we need to focus.
It's no secret that quantity and quality of sleep have effects on an individual’s physical and mental health. Our bodies need rest in order to function at their optimum level. So, the obvious challenge arises–what to do when you struggle with disrupted sleep? 
Teens today are savvy–so many know about mental health, and yet, very few are aware of how unhealthy habits impact their mood and their ability to regulate their emotions. Although many teens may look (and act) like young adults, their brains are still developing. These habits may be "normal" for adults, but due to the sensitive nature of the teenage brain, they are very likely interfering with their mood and their overall mental health.
Insomnia is linked to frequency of alcohol use among early adolescents, according to a new research. Parents, educators, and therapists should consider insomnia to be a risk marker for alcohol use, and alcohol use a risk marker for insomnia, among early adolescents according to a study published recently in the journal Addictive Behaviors.
There has been a great deal of research demonstrating that the amount and quality of sleep we get affects our mental performance, mood and overall health. A new study that measured sleep and circadian rhythms, and the association to academic performance in college students found that irregular patterns of sleep and wakefulness correlated with lower grade point average, delayed sleep/wake timing, and delayed release of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin.
Stress can interfere with your mental and physical health tremendously. Everyday frustrations and mild "stressors" may seem minor, but your nervous system is taking note. That annoying traffic on your way to work or the group text message causing your phone to beep every five seconds impacts your mental and physical health. If you want to feel better, you've got to minimize the stressors in your life.

It is World Cup time! And for many people, that means national pride, excitement and skipping work to catch midday games. As I watch these...

  Teenagers are currently more stressed than ever before, especially during the school year.  A new report by the American Psychological Association recently revealed that adolescents...